Huntsman Awarded New Brunswick Innovation Research Chair

$1.175M to support Chair will complement and build extensive research, applied science, and education capacity of the Huntsman.

May 7, 2015 (St. Andrews, NB) – The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) recently announced that the Huntsman Marine Science Centre has been awarded a prestigious New Brunswick Innovation Research Chair. The award to the Huntsman was one of four made this year, and completes a group of 7 awarded over the past two years. Obtaining the Chair was a highly competitive process for research institutes and universities, and included stages of a letter of intent, a full proposal, and a final presentation before a selection committee.

With the announcement by NBIF, the Huntsman has appointed Dr. Duane Barker to our staff to serve as the New Brunswick Innovation Research Chair in Innovative Aquatic Sciences. Dr. Barker will work directly in our Research and Applied Science Services group, together with our existing staff of scientists and technicians, and our associate scientists. He will also provide support to our Education and Outreach group to develop and deliver school, university, and continuing education programs. Dr. Barker will assume his position at the Huntsman on July 1, 2015.

Dr. Barker, a native of Newfoundland and Labrador, has a long history with the Huntsman beginning with his graduate studies that were completed partially at our facilities. Dr. Barker will come back east from his most recent appointment at Vancouver Island University, bringing his hands-on research and teaching experience in aquaculture, aquatic animal health, and environmental management. He will use the $1.175 million in funding from NBIF for the Chair to support the sustainable development of industries and communities in New Brunswick that rely on our valuable aquatic resources. As with all Huntsman activities, Dr. Barker will collaborate extensively with the world-class cluster of expertise that exists in our province and region’s universities, government departments and agencies, industries, and communities.

Founded in 1969, the Huntsman Marine Science Centre is a private, not-for-profit research and education facility whose mission is inspiring stewardship through the engagement of the community in the discovery of the oceans; the design and delivery of inspirational educational experiences and the advancement of marine sciences through collaborative research and the development of innovative technical solutions for our public and private sector partners.